Chronic exposure to pesticides has been linked to which of the following health issues?

Chronic exposure to pesticides is closely associated with various serious health issues, particularly cancer, neurological disorders, and infertility. Pesticides contain chemicals that can disrupt endocrine functions and lead to developmental and reproductive complications.

Studies have shown that long-term exposure to certain pesticides increases the risk of developing various types of cancers, such as lymphoma and leukemia. Additionally, neurological disorders, including Parkinson’s disease, have been linked to pesticide exposure due to the harmful effects these chemicals can have on nerve cells and brain function. Infertility can also result from endocrine disruption caused by some pesticide components, which can interfere with hormone regulation and reproductive health.

The other options include health concerns that are not directly linked to chronic pesticide exposure. For instance, heart disease and strokes are more closely associated with lifestyle factors and chronic conditions rather than pesticide exposure. Viral outbreaks are typically related to infectious agents rather than chemical exposure. Diseases such as malaria and bubonic plague are caused by pathogens and vectors (like mosquitoes and rats) and not directly affected by pesticide exposure in the same way that chronic exposure impacts human health through the aforementioned conditions.